News - Press Releases

Group applauds plan for $30.7 million in funding for the Estuarine Sanctuary and the Cuomo Administration’s support for continued habitat restoration & research spending. Ossining, N.Y. — The office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has invited Riverkeeper to help incorporate a proposal for $134 million in habitat restoration and research funding into the official Management Plan for the Hudson River Park and Estuarine Sanctuary. The invitation to Riverkeeper to join the “Technical Advisory Committee” responsible for creating the Estuarine Sanctuary Management Plan came in a May 24th letter from Deputy NYS Secretary Venetia Lannon to […]

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In response to an announcement today by Global Companies (Oil company abandons possible tar sands oil facility at Port of Albany) Riverkeeper Senior Attorney Erin Doran said: “Riverkeeper is pleased to see that Global has withdrawn its misguided request to add boilers to handle heavy crude at its Albany Terminal. “This is a second major victory for the protection of the Hudson River this year – coming after the defeat of industry’s request for new anchorage grounds to facilitate the transport of more crude oil. Along with our partners, we […]

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Statement from Riverkeeper President Paul Gallay: “Riverkeeper applauds Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the Department of Environmental Conservation on their draft rule to curb greenhouse gases in New York by shutting down the state’s dirtiest fossil-fuel energy plants. By placing stringent emissions standards on existing plants, this rule will help the state reach its goal of reducing energy-sector emissions by 50 percent by 2030 while assuring safe and affordable power for New York’s residents and businesses. Importantly, eliminating coal plants not only limits greenhouse gas emissions, it also eliminates air […]

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Advocates appreciate Governor Cuomo’s attention to the issue but say that a ban/fee policy is more effective than the Governor’s ban only legislation.

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7th annual event May 5 was largest ever – 120 service projects ‘source to sea’ Ossining, N.Y. – The 7th Annual Riverkeeper Sweep brought out more volunteers at more locations than ever on Saturday, May 5, when over 2,200 people came out to remove trash and invasive plants from 120 sites along the Hudson River. Here are some of the results of the one-day effort that stretched from source to sea – the Adirondack Mountains to the waters surrounding New York City. • 37 tons of trash and debris were […]

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Below is a statement from Riverkeeper President Paul Gallay on Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s announcement today to introduce legislation to prohibit the leasing of lands — including underwater lands — for offshore drilling and exploration in New York State waters. “Riverkeeper thanks Governor Cuomo and members of the legislature for standing against this misguided federal proposal. Simply put, the risks from oil drilling are too great for New Yorkers to accept. Evidence shows that if a spill were to occur, little, if any oil would be recovered, leading to lasting impacts on coastal ecosystems across the Northeast. […]

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2,000 volunteers to clean shorelines & plant trees at 100+ locations from the Adirondacks to New York City; Petitions circulating for statewide plastic bag ban Ossining, N.Y. – In a massive, one-day effort stretching from New York Harbor to the Adirondack Mountains, some 2,000 volunteers will clean up the shorelines at more than 100 locations along the Hudson River and its tributaries during the 7th Annual Riverkeeper Sweep on Saturday, May 5. With 117 projects scheduled, this effort is the largest in the event’s history. Teams of volunteers, organized by […]

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Illegal permit allowed industrial animal operations to prepare pollution prevention plans without agency oversight or public input, threatening drinking and recreational waters

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Governor Cuomo today introduced a bill banning single-use plastic bags in New York State. Jeremy Cherson, Riverkeeper Advocacy Coordinator, said: “Riverkeeper is encouraged that Governor Cuomo is taking plastic bag pollution seriously. However, the evidence does not support a ban on plastic with no fee on paper bags. The fee on paper is critical to reduce waste and foster a culture of reusable bags. Riverkeeper supports legislation introduced by Senators Krueger and Hoylman and Assemblyman Englebright – S7760 / A9953 – modeled on California’s successful plastic bag ban and fee […]

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